engine oil zddp ?

[chargerdon]

Just finished reading an article in Engine Labs.   

https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tech/engine/do-classic-cars-actually-need-high-zinc-oil-lake-speed-finds-out/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Do%20Classic%20Cars%20Really%20Need%20High-Zinc%20Oil%2C%20A%20Ford%20427%20Gets%20Spun%20Up%20On%20The%20Dyno%2C%20Getting%20The%20Gen%20V%20DI%20Fuel%20System%20To%20Run%20With%20A%20Swap%2C%20And%20More%20From%20EngineLabs%20com%21&utm_campaign=EL%206%2F20%2F25

In the article which came about as Valvoline released a new CLassic Motor Oil with High Zinc content.  They tested the new oil and concluded that "it is good stuff" but doesnt have an SAE rating do to not following the max zine of 800 PPM.  They also but tested Full Synthetic oil and concluded that todays modern oils dont need the zinc above that and that their new formulas have other anti-wear formulation that is every bit as good as high zinc.  So according to them no need to spend the extra money for high zinc oils and in fact the SAE API compliant oils of today are JUST AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER for classic car flat tappet engines !

WOW  Opinions !! 

[70vert]

If you are on a budget sure go with less expensive, I'm sure our cars/engines won't blow up. But honestly it is a small price to pay for peace of mind, especially after all the money we've spent on other things (like insurance!!)

Just my two cents 

[Duodec]

The Valvoline VR1 10w-30 and 20w-50 with "more zinc" are about $28 for 5 quarts at walmart; I bought some last week.  The Castrol GTX Classic 20w-50 used to be about the same price but I think it went up recently.

[Brads70]

I think I'll let someone else test that theory..... I'll continue to use the higher zinc oil Brad Penn for me.

[Jay Bee]

Interesting and informative article, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to his cam wear video.

[chargerdon]

yes, i would be scared also.  But then he stated that the Full Synthetic compounds are probably better at anti wear than the pre 99 zddp oils.   Hmmm 

[Cuda_mark]

I think I'll let someone else test that theory..... I'll continue to use the higher zinc oil Brad Penn for me.

I am of the same opinion. I only change the oil one time per year in my 70 so I don't mind paying a little more for the Brad Penn.

[tparker]

I don't know, engineers are pretty good at stuff. If they say a oil is designed for these type cars, I would tend to believe them. However, it if really was, they would guarantee it and pay for the complete restoration plus some if it fails.

How does this figure in with subpar cam and lifter metal?

[1970 cuda Joe]

I change one of my cars to Valvoline VR1 a few years back. I was running conventional oil. After changing oil, I took it for a test run. I returned to the house & the idle speed had increase by about 75 rpm. I have never had that happen before. They all use Wix filters. I guess the lubricity factor had changed.....Joe

[usraptor]

I've watched his you tube channel (The Motor Oil Geek https://www.youtube.com/@themotoroilgeek) for the past year and have to say he is a geek, especially when it comes to motor oil. He probably knows more about motor oil than the majority of motor oil chemists. Side PSA note, he/they have determined that there is such a thing as too much zinc in motor oil and adding excessive zinc to your motor oil will cause your engine to eat itself.  Check out his you tube video on it.  If you want to learn more about motor oil, additives, etc. than you ever thought existed, check out his you tube channel.  That being said, I used Lucas Hot Rod and Classic Car motor oil in my 440 with a hydraulic roller camshaft.  I do NOT add any additional zinc additives to the oil. (https://www.lucasoil.com/product/hot-rod-classic-car-10w-40-motor-oil/)

[70vert]

yes, i would be scared also.  But then he stated that the Full Synthetic compounds are probably better at anti wear than the pre 99 zddp oils.   Hmmm 

But you can have both, I use Redline 10w40 that is Full Synthetic plus extra ZDDP.

[Skdmark]

The Valvoline VR1 10w-30 and 20w-50 with "more zinc" are about $28 for 5 quarts at walmart; I bought some last week.  The Castrol GTX Classic 20w-50 used to be about the same price but I think it went up recently.

Just did the same: 5-quart Valvoline VR1 10w-3 at Walmart. Best price I could find and bought what they had.
Auto parts store by me have it for $40-$50 for the 5-quart bottle.

[torredcuda]

I have never run any expensive specialty oil in my Barracuda. I ran basic Amalie 10W30 with Comp Cams additive for zinc and have a lot of hard miles with a flat tappet/solid lifter cam. I just switched to Valvoline VR1 this spring, always with Wix filters.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

VR-1 & Wix... long as I can remember 

[Skdmark]

I had been using WIX 51084 and just switched to a Baldwin 163 for my small block. The WIX filter is being made in China now. The Baldwin is lsted as USA.